KUKMA

About

Kukma village in Kutch lies 30 km south of Bhuj. Predominantly an agrarian setting, it now has become a major industrial zone since the tax holiday declared after the earthquake a few years back.

The site was a narrow strip of land measuring 3 acres earmarked for the staff housing for the NGO Shrujan. A mixed income housing proposal that cross subsidises costs across various house types was attempted.

The key issues addressed were water and sustainability, thermal comfort, low cost construction, planning for various social events within the community and creating a community of sensitive individuals wanting to lead a self sustaining lifestyle.

Farming, rearing cattle, reuse of wastewater for irrigation, and a decentralised waste water system to handle sewage were some of the initiatives integrated in the master plan.

The ‘Falia system’ of social organisation in the planning was requested by the stakeholders / users as a means to organise the community along the lines of their social sub groups as well as living habits and the need to farm and rear cattle.